Page 14 of Evening Shadows

Before a military versus law enforcement argument broke out, Ken stood. “Look, your language is your own, and so is whether you contribute to her. Just be respectful around the kids. That’s all the brothers and I ask.”

Ken stood. As he exited the room, he smiled when he heard Cowboy say, “Well, hell.”

While Ken finished up a little bit of paperwork, the team played darts in the rec room. He was unsure whether they waited for him so they could depart together or if they really wanted to play the game before they left for the day.

After finishing, he joined them and played a round—getting his ass handed to him by Stone—before they all called it a day. Jesse and Devon were huddled around Devon’s computer when they left and gave a nod goodbye.

As the team fanned out to go to their vehicles, Ken closed in on Sam. He had to try again, apologize, or at least smooth her ruffled feathers. “May we speak for a minute?”

Probably still bristling from their last meeting, she stated matter-of-factly, “No.”

Nearly struck dumb at her easy dismissal, Ken stood for a moment then strode toward his Harley. He needed the wind in his face to clear his head. Somehow he’d been going about this all wrong. Actually, he had to get his head on straight for what he wanted with her. And what he could reasonably ask of her.

Out of his peripheral vision, he saw Sam digging a ringing phone from her black purse. As she answered the phone with a “Hi, Bev,” his curious ears perked up. Could it be Beverly Shodun? He’d never forgotten the woman who’d threatened to have him arrested if he approached her again. Since her husband died on one of their ops, Ken and Jesse had offered condolences and assistance. Since she wouldn’t allow them near her, they checked on her from afar to make sure one of their teammates’ widows was properly taken care of even if it couldn’t be by them.

Of course, Sam, as someone on the police force, had known the reality of ops were different, and not once blamed him, or Jesse.

He glanced at Sam over his shoulder. The two women had been two peas in a pod. He’d never understood it because, in his mind, Sam’s friendship had been too good for the woman he’d deemed selfish.

Maybe it was time to check in on Adam’s widow and her son again to ensure they were still doing well. Cody had to be about nine or ten by now.

Knowing he shouldn’t intrude, he turned back to his bike. Ken’s blood ran cold at Sam’s next urgently spoken statement, and he whirled around to face her.

“When did he go missing? What do you mean kidnapped?”

Every member of the team froze in getting to their vehicles and turned to Sam. Ken’s blood ran cold at the questions she’d asked.

She turned and their eyes connected. Instead of the woman who was pissed off at him from their passionate kiss, she turned back into the focused woman who happened to be the best damn sniper he’d known. Her expression wrenched his gut. Even through her strength, fear clouded her eyes and he’d never seen that in her before.

Without thought for themselves and the rest due to them after a long, hard day of training, the men moved in and surrounded Sam. They knew they’d just drawn an op and were already focused on learning what details they could from her side of the conversation.

Even though they were only steps away from the building, Ken pulled his cell from his pocket and speed dialed the HIS emergency line. When Jesse answered, he quickly stated, “We have a kidnapping. We’re returning now. Sam’s on the phone with a Beverly, maybe Beverly Shodun. Her boy should be about nine or ten.”

They began to shuffle her toward the door they’d all departed through a few moments ago as individuals going their separate ways. They returned as a cohesive team.

“Oh, hell,” Jesse responded. “His name is Cody and he’s nine, almost ten. Devon and I are ready for you.”

“We’re walking in now.” Until they reached the war room, Ken would keep his phone line open to relay anything Sam said so even that couple of seconds it saved could mean time in rescuing the boy.

As the men led the way down the hallway, Ken followed Sam, listening to every word in case she forgot to relay something. As she slowed her pace, she turned away, and lowered her voice. Curious, he leaned in from behind her and barely overheard her words. When he did, he stepped back because her statement startled him.

“Don’t you remember who I work for? I thought you wanted me to kill two of them, not bring them to help you.”

6

Cody abducted!Sam’s heart had skipped a beat and fear had lanced its way through her system at record speed, leaving her determined yet with weak knees. Even though she knew this disturbing act occurred, she couldn’t comprehend why someone would do such a thing—especially to the Shoduns. Bev had no money and Cody was a good kid.

Knowing how much Bev despised Jesse and Ken, Sam had been surprised her friend would call for help. Of course, Sam would help no matter the backup, and the experience of the team would be extremely beneficial.

“I don’t want them. I want you.”

Feeling Ken move closer, she began walking again. When she entered the war room, the hard, expectant gazes of Jesse and Devon almost threw her off balance. Even though she didn’t discount her own skills, she knew that success would need more than Sam alone. She had to convince Bev to allow them to rescue Cody.

“Is she home?” Devon’s quiet words told her that HIS would be involved and she’d bet even if it happened to be against Bev’s wishes. They didn’t mess around when a kid was involved. They’d pull in any resource they could find, which included, as she noted on one op, some black ops friends of theirs. That had been a surprise when they’d just appeared out of nowhere.

She nodded, refusing to speak so Bev wouldn’t realize she’d shared information to the people Bev hated most. They’d start their search at Bev’s, hoping there were clues or Bev could offer up something they could use to locate Cody.

She closed her eyes in the hope that the plane hadn’t departed. She’d never been more grateful that HIS leased a private jet to ensure they had a rapid response.

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